UCLA School of Law will host its first-ever Public Service Challenge from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. During the five-day period, the entire UCLA Law community – including students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and families – will be encouraged to vote and volunteer as poll workers, do election protection work or engage in other pro bono or public service opportunities to help the Los Angeles community. To support the challenge, the school will not hold classes on Election Day, Nov. 3.

“UCLA Law has a long tradition of prioritizing public service,” says Associate Dean of Public Interest Law Brad Sears, “and this fall the needs in Los Angeles could not be greater.”

In addition to election-protection work and assisting legal services organizations throughout Los Angeles County, UCLA Law’s programs, centers and clinics have created a number of unique opportunities to support their work serving some of the most vulnerable communities in Los Angeles. For non-lawyers (or those who just want to take a break from the law) the challenge website includes a number of opportunities such as helping to clean a local park, making face masks, working with foster pets and donating blood. Most activities are remote, while others are in person; some involve interacting with clients, while others are short research projects.

“While the challenges of 2020 are daunting, the UCLA Law community is 18,000 members strong. Together, I know we can make a difference,” says UCLA Law Dean Jennifer Mnookin.

The kick-off for the challenge will be held on Oct. 26 at 12:15 pm on Zoom, and it will feature the LA Sparks, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and more. A link for the launch celebration will be provided to those who register for the challenge and sign up for public service opportunities. General questions regarding the challenge may be emalied to publicinterestoffice@law.ucla.edu.

“It is efforts like this that give me hope and that will get us through these difficult times,” says Solis. “L.A. County needs you and appreciates you.”